Measurement of Measurement of

Relative Humidity Relative Humidityyy

1
Amitava Chatterjee
Department of Electrical Engg., Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
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Humidity Sensors
Definition:
Relative humidity is defined as the ratio (stated as a percent) of y ( p )
the moisture content of air compared to the saturated moisture
level at the same temperature and pressure.
M j R i t f h idit Major Requirements of humidity sensors:
Predictable behavior.
Good long-term stability.
Should be ruggedly constructed for reliable operation under
adverse conditions adverse conditions.
Should be simple to operate and maintain.
2
Amitava Chatterjee
Department of Electrical Engg., Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
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Humidity Sensors (contd)
Why Electronic Humidity Sensors?
They can be incorporated directly into an electrical measuring
circuit avoiding many problems often associated with mechanical circuit, avoiding many problems often associated with mechanical
counterparts.
E i t t d i t i th h i l Easier to operate and maintain than mechanical sensors.
They are highly versatile and can be used to drive a variety of y g y y
humidity display and humidity control appliances.
They are easier to calibrate.
Humidity sensors must meet two competitive objectives: to be
both reliable and inexpensive
3
Amitava Chatterjee
Department of Electrical Engg., Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
both reliable and inexpensive.
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Capacitive Humidity Sensor - A
The Characteristic of a Philips
make Capacitive (RH) Sensor make Capacitive (RH) Sensor
4 . 1
| |
RH
C
App. Relationship between RH and C
s
:
150
C
s
(pF)
4 . 1
100
34 . 0 985 . 0
%) 12 (
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
RH
C
C
s
s
C (12%) is the capacitance of the sensor at
140
130
120

C
s
(12%) is the capacitance of the sensor at
RH = 12%.
110
20 40 60 80 100
0
RH(%)
The arrangement is designed for measuring RH from 10%to 90%.
The long-term characteristic remains unaffected by condensation
4
Amitava Chatterjee
Department of Electrical Engg., Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
of water on foil surface.
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Capacitive Humidity Sensor A (contd)
Measuring Circuit
V(M1)
MULTI MULTI
V
o
M1 M2
t
t
1
V(M2)
MULTI
VIBRATOR
MULTI
VIBRATOR
t
t
2
V
o
C
T
C
0
+AC
t
t
3
T
The capacitance is given by where C = constant part of the
C C C A + =
The capacitance is given by , where C
0
constant part of the
capacitance and AC = the capacitance part that varies with the RH value.
C C C
s
A + =
0
V
C
V
t
V
|
|
|

|
A
=
|
|

|
=
3
5
Amitava Chatterjee
Department of Electrical Engg., Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
B B o
V
C
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|
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\
|
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\
0
2
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Capacitive Humidity Sensor A (contd)
4 . 1
| |
RH
C
App. Relationship between RH and C
s
:
100
34 . 0 985 . 0
%) 12 (
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
RH
C
C
s
s
C (12%) is the capacitance of the sensor at C
s
(12%) is the capacitance of the sensor at
RH = 12%.
The capacitance C
s
not only depends on the primary measurand
RH, but also on some other secondary variables e.g. operating
f d bi frequency and ambient temperature.
6
Amitava Chatterjee
Department of Electrical Engg., Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
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Capacitive Humidity Sensor A (contd)
Influence of Secondary Variables: Influence of Secondary Variables:
f (KHz) C
0
(pF)
(RH = 0%)
AC (12%)
(pF)
AC (100%)
(pF)
10
1 116.1 3.6 45.5
10 112.7 3.5 44.2
8
6
4
10
( )
%
C
C
A
100 109.0 3.3 42.7
1000 104 6 3 3 41 0
4
2
1 10 100 1000
0
- 2
The influence of operating
1000 104.6 3.3 41.0
Capacitance of humidity sensor at four
2
- 4
F(KH
z
)
p g
frequency on capacitance
Capacitance of humidity sensor at four
different frequencies (nominal values)
The temperature dependence of the sensor capacitance (over the
ti f ) 0 1%/K
7
Amitava Chatterjee
Department of Electrical Engg., Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
operating frequency range) ~ 0.1%/K .
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Capacitive Humidity Sensor A (contd)
90
The sensor has a slow response time
80
70
RH
(%)
60
50
Conclusion: The sensor will not be
particularly suitable for those
40
300 200 100 400
0
30
t (sec.)
p y
situations where the RH
undergoes fast variations.
t (sec.)
Time response of the sensor
8
Amitava Chatterjee
Department of Electrical Engg., Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
Time response of the sensor
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Capacitive Humidity Sensor B
tantalum
l
Polymer
dielectric chromium
layer
The Capce. vs.
RH relation:
layer
l
pF 7 . 1 375 RH C + =
glass
substrate
Here the dielectric is a polymer which has the ability to absorb water molecules.
A sensor of this type has its input range of 0%to 100% RH, with a
capacitance of 375 pF at 0% RH and a linear sensitivity of 1.7 pF per % RH.
9
Amitava Chatterjee
Department of Electrical Engg., Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
capacitance of 375 pF at 0% RH and a linear sensitivity of 1.7 pF per % RH.
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